Shrubs, herbs or trees, occasionally climbing or epiphytic. Leaves simple, opposite or sometimes whorled; margin entire; inter or intrapetiolar stipules usually present (except Rubia or Galium). Inflorescences very variable, including a.o. panicles, dichasial cymes, spikes, heads. Flowers with sepals 4-5, basally connate, usually persistent in fruit. Corolla 4-5(-10)-lobed, with long to sometimes short tube. Disc mostly present, intrastaminal. Stamens 4-5(-10), attached to the corolla tube. Ovary inferior (rarely half-inferior or superior), (1-)2-(-many)locular, style 1, stigma 1, entire or 2-lobed, rarely styles and stigmas 2 (or more). Fruit a drupe, berry, or capsule.
General info
Distribution About 640 genera with c. 10700 species, widespread in (sub)tropical and temperate regions of the world. There are 3 subfamilies: Rubioideae, Cinchonoideae and Guetterdoideae. Ecology Almost all habitat types of the world. In tropical forests usually understorey shrubs or trees, but some species grow into canopy trees. Common in closed and open forests, seasonal and everwet regions. Uses Timber (Nauclea spp., Anthocephallus spp.); Ornamentals (Gardenia spp., Ixora spp., Mussaenda spp.); Coffee (Coffea spp.); Quinine (Cinchona spp.); Dyes and tans (Morinda spp., Uncaria spp.). Similar to The Rubiaceae may be confused with Loganiaceae but can be distinguished by the presence of stipules and superior ovary.
Family description
Shrubs, herbs or trees, occasionally climbing or epiphytic.Leaves simple, opposite or sometimes whorled; margin entire; inter or intrapetiolar stipules usually present (except Rubia or Galium).
Inflorescences very variable, including a.o. panicles, dichasial cymes, spikes, heads.
Flowers with sepals 4-5, basally connate, usually persistent in fruit. Corolla 4-5(-10)-lobed, with long to sometimes short tube. Disc mostly present, intrastaminal. Stamens 4-5(-10), attached to the corolla tube. Ovary inferior (rarely half-inferior or superior), (1-)2-(-many)locular, style 1, stigma 1, entire or 2-lobed, rarely styles and stigmas 2 (or more).
Fruit a drupe, berry, or capsule.
General info
Distribution About 640 genera with c. 10700 species, widespread in (sub)tropical and temperate regions of the world. There are 3 subfamilies: Rubioideae, Cinchonoideae and Guetterdoideae.Ecology Almost all habitat types of the world. In tropical forests usually understorey shrubs or trees, but some species grow into canopy trees. Common in closed and open forests, seasonal and everwet regions.
Uses Timber (Nauclea spp., Anthocephallus spp.); Ornamentals (Gardenia spp., Ixora spp., Mussaenda spp.); Coffee (Coffea spp.); Quinine (Cinchona spp.); Dyes and tans (Morinda spp., Uncaria spp.).
Similar to The Rubiaceae may be confused with Loganiaceae but can be distinguished by the presence of stipules and superior ovary.
Treated genera
Rubiaceae.pdf
Anthocephallus chinensis
Canthium glabrum
Gardenia tubifera
Ixora pyrantha
Lasianthus constrictus
Morinda citrifolia